Border-plate for flower-beds



2 SheetP-Sheet 1 I. L. LANDIS.

BORDER PLATE FOR FLOWER BEDS.

- Patented Feb. 12, 1889.

(No Model.)

Hill/1 WITNESSES.

N. PETERS. Phulniilhognphcr. Washington, DJ;

' WWESSE8, [may I072, 8.77% M (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

I. -L. LANDIS.

. BORDER PLATE FOR FLOWER BEDS. N0. 397,732. Patented Feb. 12, 1889.

21 Ziohzey,

UNiTnn STATES PATENT ()rrrcn.

ISRAEL L. LANDIS, OF LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA.

BORDER-PLATE FOR FLOWER-BEDS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 397,732, dated February 12, 1889.

Application filed September 26,1888. Serial No. Z86,l43. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISRAEL L. LANDIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lancaster, in the county of Lancaster and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Border- Plates for Flower-Beds and the Like, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements upon border-plates for flower-beds and the like, the object being to provide extremely simple, inexpensive, and highly-ornamental plates for confining the earth of flower gardens or plats, as will be more fully hereinafter set forth.

The invention consists, essentially, of a series of curved, angular, or straight metallic,

plates detachably hinged together at their adjacent ends, forming a chain, whereby an infinite variety of shapes and designs of flower beds or plats may be readily formed, as will presently appear.

The invention also consists of a series of plates detachably hinged together at their adjacent ends and provided with feet or angular flanges at their lower edges, whereby the plates are held in an upright position, and are prevented from settling or sinking into the earth, as will presently appear.

In order to enable others to fully understand and appreciate my invention, I will now proceed to more fully describe it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a flower-bed formed by means of my improved border-plates; Fig. 2, a detail perspective view of the adjacent ends of the plates detached, showing one method of detachably hinging the plates together; Fig. 3, a detail side view of the adjacent ends of two plates attached together; Fig. 4, a detail side elevation of one of the plates; Fig. 5, a view similar to Fig. 2 showing another form of hinge; Fig. 6, a vertical sectional view of one of the plates secured to the ground by means of pegs or stakes; and Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10,11, and 12 represent diagrammatical views of several of the various designs and shapes of flower-beds that may be formed by means of my im proved border-plates.

Referring to the drawings by 1etter,A designates the border-plates, one of which is shown in detail in Fig. 4. Each of these plates has cast integral with or secured to it at one end a vertical pintle, a, connected to the end of the plate by means of connections or extensions a a. Upon the other end of each plate is cast the curved lugs or flanges 'b,

which are adapted to embrace the pintle a of the adjacent plate between the two portions a a. The lugs 19 do not entirely surround the pintle, but leave a narrow vertical space or throat between their vertical edges for the passage of the portions a a. of the adjacent plate in attaching and detaching.

In inserting the pintle aof one plate between the curved lugs b of the adjacent plate it is evident the plates are first placed at about right angles with each other, as shown in Fig. 2, when the extensions ct a will be in a position to readily pass through the throat formed byv the vertical edges of the said lugs. After the pintles are inserted, to lock the plates together, all that is necessary to do is to turn them slightly either way.

As shown in Fig. 5, the curved lugs 11 may be connected together, forming a sort of cylinder, and the lower lug or extension a may be dispensed with without in the least departing from my invention. In this way the adjacent ends of the plates are detachably and pivotally connected together, forming a chain-like arrangement of plates.

Cast integral With the plates, along their lower edges, are the angular flanges c, which serve as feet and prevent the plates sinking into the ground and keep them in an upright position. These flanges or feet may be formed on the inside or outside of the plates, or on both sides, as may be desired. I prefer, however, to form the flanges only on the inner sides of the plates, as they will then be hidden from view, and the weight of the confined soil will have a tendency to keep the plates in place. These flanges may be formed continuous, as shown in Fig. 1, or they may be formed disconnected, as shown in Fig. 4. In addition to or in lieu of the flanges c, tongues or pins (1 may be cast on the lower edges of the plates, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, the tongues being adapted to enter the ground, and serve to keep the plates in an upright position. Headed stakes 6 may be employed to clamp the flanges down close to the ground should it be found necessary or desirable, as shown in Fig. 6. \Vhen these stakes are employed, the flanges (1 may be notched, as shown in Fig. 5. The outside of the plates may be suitably and tastefully decorated with flowers, &c., to present a highly ornamental appearance. The plates may be of any suitable length, and made straight, angular, curved, or twisted, so as to form different designs and patterns of flower-beds, as shown in Figs. '7, 8, 9, 1O, 11, and 12 of the drawings. By hinging the plates detaehably together, as shown, and curving and twisting them it is olwious that an infinite variety of orna' mental shapes and designs of beds may be Formed with them.

It is evident that these border-plates may be employed with equal advantage to confine the earth and gravel in constructing garden walks and paths. In the autumn the plates may be detached and packed away and the earth of the bed cleared away. 7

It is evident that the specific constructioi'i herein shown and described may be varied without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my intention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A border for flower-beds, consisting of a series of vertical plates detachably hinged together at their adjacent ends by means of vertical pint-les formed integral with or rigidly attached to the ends of the plates, whereby a chain-like arrangement is formed,

the said pintles being embraced by curved lugs formed integral with the adjacent plates, substantially as described.

2. The confining-border herein described, consisting of a series of "ertical plates detachably hinged together and provided at their lower edges with angular flanges c on one or both sides, substantially as described.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a border-plate, A, having cast integral with it at on e end a vertical pintle, and on its other end curved embracing-lugs, substantially as described.

,4. As a new article of mani'ifactnre, a border-plate provided on its respective ends with a vertical pi'ntle and curved enibracing-lugs, and on its lower edge with an angular flange or flanges, substantially as described.

The confining border for flower -beds herein described, consisting of a series of plates adapted to set upright on the surface of the ground, the said plates being detachably hinged together by means elf vertical pintles formed integral or rigidly attached to the plates, substantially as described.

6. The combination of two or more borderplates detachably hinged together at itheir adjacent ends and provided wiih notched angular flanges c on their lower edges, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ISRAEL L. LANDIS.

\Vitnesscs:

ANTHONY IsPE, H. G. PINKERTON. 

